Iain
Iain is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
God is gracious.
Origin and history
Iain is the traditional Scottish Gaelic form of John, deriving from the Hebrew name Yochanan. It represents a classic Celtic variant that offers a distinct alternative to the English Ian. In the United States, it remains a relatively rare choice, appreciated by parents seeking a heritage-rich spelling.
Popularity in the United States
2,911 babies in the United States have been named Iain since 1880. It ranks #2395 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1772.
States where it is most popular
- CA (36.9 %)
- TX (17.8 %)
- NY (9.8 %)
- VA (5.8 %)
- WA (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 16 |
| 1960-1970 | 112 |
| 1970-1980 | 157 |
| 1980-1990 | 320 |
| 1990-2000 | 618 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,011 |
| 2010-2019 | 522 |
| 2020-2029 | 155 |
Famous people named Iain
- Iain Armitage: Actor
- Iain Glen: Actor
- Iain Banks: Author, Novelist
Fun facts
- Iain is the authentic Gaelic spelling of Ian, both tracing back to the biblical name John.
- The name is well known in literature through authors such as Iain Pears and Iain Banks.